Spring structure



Szpt. 28, 1937. w. A. CLARK SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Jan. 14, 1935 ATTORNEYS A Patented Sept. 2s, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRING STRUCTURE Mich.

Application January 14, 1935, Serial No. 1,732

6 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved spring cushion structure which is Well adapted for heavy work or severe usage, such for example, as the seats of trucks, busses, and the like.

Second, to provide a spring structure of the foregoing character which is simple and economical in its parts and very easily assembled and the upholstery applied by unskilled work`- men.

Third, to provide an improved structure which enables the rapid manufacture of air-bound cushions.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. 'I'he invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. l is a bottom plan view of a spring structure embodying features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on a line corresponding to line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section and partially in `perspective showing the manner of assembling the parts.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partially in section and partially in perspective, of a modication.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I represents a cushion structure especially designed for use as a truck seat cushion. The structure comprises a base panel 2 preferably of multiply wood veneer or suitable fiber for the purpose of strength and lightness, it being shaped and dimensioned according to the shape and dimensions of the cushion.

In the structure illustrated, the bottom panel.

is of three-ply veneer. Coiled body springs designated by the numeral 4 are mounted upon this panel and comprise a bottom border frame 5 anchored by meansof clips 6. On the under side of the bottom panel, I secure by means of nails 'I a border frame 8 having an inwardly facing channel 9 and consisting, in the preferred embodiment, of strips of sheet metal folded upon itself, the upper arm being substantially wider than the lower arm. The springs are provided with upholstery II having a skirt I2, the lower edge I3 of the skirt being extended around and under the border frame 8 and disposed within the channel 9, as shown. The lower edge of, the

upho-lstery skirt is held in place by means of the clamping frame or strips I4 of T-cross section. The clamping strip illustrated consists of strips of sheet metal folded longitudinally to provide such section. The outer arm of the cross portion of this strip is held in the channel by means of integral tongues I6 struck downwardly from the upper arms of the border members, these clips or tongues being folded or clamped around and under the inner arm of the flange II of the base frame. The lower edge of the skirt is thus effectively clamped in place between the contours of the border frame and the clamping members in an effective manner and retained by the clamping action and also the snubbing action. It will be understood that theV skirt is secured with the springs under tension as is the usual practice in cushion structures of this type. The webs I8 of the clamping strips depend below the other parts of the structureincluding the upholstery to provide a support for the structure and wear receiving parts. This support acts to prevent damage to the upholstery and also increases the clamping action between the base and border frames when the cushioned seat is in use. The parts are readily assembled in the manner illustrated by Fig. 3 which speaks for itself. In connecting the parts as shown by Fig. 3 it will be understood that the body springs 4 are compressed to relieve the skirt I2 of tension.

Referring to Fig. 4, the base panel I9 has a border frame of the same material as the panel, in this case plies of wood, the frame having an inwardly facing channel 2 I. In the modification, the clamping strips 22 are held in place by means of screws 23 engaging the panel. Otherwise, the structure is substantially the same as that shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

My improvements are especially well adapted for cushioned seats designed for heavy duty service, such as that met with in automotive vehicle trucks. The fiber base panel absorbs noise and provides a very effective means for unifying the structure. 'I'he base panel also is effective in preventing damage to the parts under normal and abnormal conditions of use. I refer to the ability of the fiber to return to its initial shape after being subjected to twisting forces.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found Very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it iS. believed this disclosure will enable those skilledin the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Although I have shown and described certain speciiic embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modiiications thereof are possible. My invention is therefore not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,.what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a multiply Wood veneer base panel, inwardly facing U-shaped sheet metal border members constituting channels secured on the under side of said base panel, means for attaching said members to said panel, the upper arms of said border members being substantially Wider than the lower arms and receiving the attaching means, said upper arms having spaced clamping tongues struck downwardly therefrom, body springs mounted on said base panel, upholstery comprising a skirt having its edges disposed around said border members, and clamping strips of T-cross section, said upholstery being folded over the arm portions of said clamping strips and the strips arranged with one arm in said channels, said tongues being clamped over the opposite arm, the web portions of said clamping strips constituting rests for the cushion structure.

2. The combination of a multiply Wood veneer base panel, inwardly facing U-shaped sheet metal border members constituting channels se-V cured on the under side ,of said base panel, means for attaching said members to said panel, the upper arms of said border members being substantially wider than the lower arms and receiving the attaching means, body springs mounted on said base panel, upholstery comprising a skirt having its edges disposed around said border members, clamping strips of T-cross section, said upholstery being folded over the arm portions of said clamping strips and the strips arranged with one arm in said channels, and means carried by said upper arms to clamp said clamping strips and upholstery in said channels.

3. The combination of a ber base panel, inwardly facing U`shaped sheet metal border members constituting channels secured on the under side of said base panel, said upper arms having spaced clamping tongues struck downwardly therefrom, body springs mounted on said base panel, upholstery comprising a skirt having its edges disposed around said border members, and clamping strips of T-cross section, said upholstery being folded over the arm portions of said clamping strips and the strips arranged with one arm in said channels, saidrtongues being clamped over the opposite arm.

4. The combination of a fiber base panel, border members secured on the under side of said base panel to provide inwardly facing upholstery receiving channels, body springs mounted onV said base panel, upholstery comprising a skirt having its edges folded around said border members, and clamping strips of T-cross section cooperating with said channels to clamp the upholstery therein, said upholstery being folded over the ross arm portion of said clamping strips and engaged together with said cross arm portion in said channels, the web portions of said clamping strips depending below said border members and constituting rests for the cushion structure, and means for securing said skirt and cross arm portion in said channels.

5. The combination of a multiply wood veneer base panel, inwardly facing U-shaped sheet metal border members constituting channels secured on the under side of said base panel, the upper arms of said border members having spaced clamping tongues struck downwardly therefrom, body springs mounted on said base panel, upholstery comprising a skirt having its edges disposed around said border members, and clamping strips over which said upholstery is folded arranged in said channels to clamp the upholstery therein, said tongues being clamped over the said clamping strip.

6. A spring structure comprising the combination of a iiber base panel, body springs mountedV on said panel, a border on the bottom of said panel having clipsV integral therewith and an inwardly facing channel, upholstery covering said springs and including a skirt having its lower edge extending under said border and within said channel, and a clamping member of T--cross section coasting with said border to hold the lower edge of said upholstery skirt in place, theouter ange of said clamping member being held in said channel by means of said integral clips, the clips beingy turned around and` under the inner lilange of said clamping member, the web of said clamping member depending to provide a support forV the structure.

WILLIAM A. CLARK. 

